The Wasp

The more we learn about Iron Man 3, the more fodder for rumor there is. The latest? Stephanie Szostak is playing Janet Van Dyne, a.k.a. The Wasp. Her addition to the cast was announced before this year’s Comic-Con, her role is still unspecified, and since then we’ve seen next to nothing of her. All we got in the latest trailer was a quick shot of her violently and suggestively shoving Tony Stark against a wall. Those are the facts and nothing about them clearly link Szostak to playing The Wasp.

And this is why it’s a rumor, but a fun rumor I’d love to see play out. The lineup in The Avengers was heavy with dudes, but I don’t want them adding more woman characters without any thought. When they introduce characters I want them to be characters not token inclusions. Black Widow was a character, Maria Hill, eh, not as much.

So where’d this Wasp rumor begin? As with so many things, nowadays, a tweet,

Inside News: When Stephanie Szostak’s role is for Iron Man 3 is announced, fans will go crazy.

– Roger Wardell (@RogerWardell) November 12, 2012

Who’s Roger Wardell when he’s not tweeting? No one really knows, but the guy’s been posting a ton of “Insider News” that has yet to be proven wrong. For instance he was tweeting about The Falcon being in Captain America 2 before it was confirmed. Lucky guess? Maybe.

Wardell isn’t the only one teasing Szostak as The Wasp. ComicBook.com is reporting a “tipster” has told them Szostak is definitely playing Janet van Dyne. So maybe she doesn’t become The Wasp in Iron Man 3, but Janet could be introduced.

Combine the cryptic tweet and ComicBook.com’s “tipster” with reports an early draft of The Avengers included The Wasp. Add in the fact Van Dyne was an original founding member of the team. Remember she’s also often seen in the company of Hank Pym, Ant-Man, as either partner, lover or both and we know Marvel has plans for Ant-Man to appear in Phase 2. All of it this makes Szostak playing The Wasp sound very likely.

What do you think? Sure it’s all hearsay, but it’s intriguing nonetheless. Could Szostak be Janet van Dyne and will we see here become The Wasp in time for Avengers 2?